New Views On Learning...

Over the course of the last several months I have had an opportunity to study and learn about the nuances of various learning theories that exist out there. During this time I have also given pause and had time to reflect on my own learning.  The work of Malcolm Knowles, known as the father of andragogy, which is the study of helping adults learn, has opened my eyes as to when my best learning occurs.  Knowles mentions that the adult learner is mainly interested in learning about subjects that are relative to his or her job or personal life.  When thinking about my own learning I know this holds true and not only do I process information better, but there is almost an excitement to it.  However, when I am disengaged or disinterested in the subject matter I often have a hard time concentrating and tend to “drift”.

During this time I have also come to realize the importance of visualization in my own learning.  Visibly seeing a diagram, chart or demonstration to go along with reading or hearing information helps me develop a deeper understanding.  This learning strategy is mentioned in a number of different theories as they relate to instructional design.  George Siemens, in regards to not only connectivism but also academics, states “visualization permits us to see the connections that are inherent in a data set or that are inherent in a particular concept that we might not have recognized ourselves.” (Video program, 2010)

Throughout school and my coursework I have always preferred to work alone on projects and such.  However, my recent studies of various learning theories have made me recognize the benefits of social interaction in obtaining new knowledge.  I have come to realize that through collaboration with others, discussing topics and connecting with other learners also is a preferred method of gathering valuable information.

Lastly, there is a real excitement for the potential learning that can occur through current educational technologies.  A common misconception is that technology, like the internet for example, is mainly used for entertainment purposes and communication.  However, a vast array of educational opportunities are alive and ready for learners to utilize.  Search engines, blogs, mobile device applications and discussion boards to name a few, are all valuable ways to connect with and discover new information.  As Siemens points out, “Our knowledge literally is distributed across other networks of human beings, technological devices, and other ends.  So that’s the application of the technology to aid and to extend that dimension as well.” (Video program, 2010)

Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning

Siemens, G. (n.d.) Connectivism. [Video Production]. [Transcript]. Laureate Education, Inc.

The Personal Learning Network

Having never put much thought into my own learning I have found the theory of connectivism to be quite fascinating.  Connectivism can be thought of as the integration of technology, social network and information. (Siemens, 2010)  Oh how things have changed since I was in school.   The significant change in the way I learn that I didn’t even realize was happening was the ability to access a vast array of information so quickly through the use of technology.  For example, if I have a question about any number of topics I can search for the answer on the internet, post the question on a blog, or find an email address for an expert in that particular area.

The creator of the theory of connectivism, George Siemens, states that “We must create networks which, simply defined, are connections between entities.  By using these networks – of people, of technology, of social structures, of systems, of power grids, etc. – learning communities can share their ideas with others, therby “cross-pollinating the learning environment.” (Siemens, 2005, para. 21)  I believe that my own learning network achieves the connections that connectivism is based around, but also supports and blends the social learning theory of constructivism as well.  The capability to interact socially with such a diverse group of learners has extended the attainability of knowledge and to create meaning through interaction.  This also builds upon the constructivist viewpoint that learning is a social process and learning stems from the involvement in social activities. (Kim, 2001)

Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructivism

Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning, Retrieved November 03, 2008, from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm

Siemens, G. (n.d.) Connectivism. [Video Production]. [Transcript]. Laureate Education, Inc.

Connectivism

Resources on learning & information processing

I was able to uncover several valuable resources recently that may be helpful in understanding how one learns and how this can be useful as an instructional designer.  The first resource is a website featuring the work and research of Howard Gardner, (http://www.howardgardner.com/index.html) Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and founder of the theory of multiple intelligences.  The website has a ton of useful information from "frequently asked questions" about his theory, pdf's of articles and papers Gardner has written and a links page with other pertinent websites.  I particularly enjoyed reading his paper Five Minds for the Future as it relates to the International Baccalaureate program which is a curriculum that my school district has adopted within the last several years.

The second resource is a website provided by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education called New Horizons.

http://education.jhu.edu/newhorizons/

This site is chalk full of articles regarding the neurosciences, brain research and how it relates to learning, and articles on teaching and learning strategies.  This resource is really dedicated toward leading the way in transforming education and provides links to other relevant sites as well as the quarterly journal.

Helpful Resources and Links Part 3

www.fitmet.com/ -- This is another great blog for physical education instructors. Most of the posts refer to articles regarding current issues relevant to physical activity and health.

There are three different contributors to the blog who are all experts in the field currently teaching in California.  The cool gadget featured recently included a BMI calculator which is very useful and could be used by students in private on-line.  I found it a little discouraging that posts aren't made regularly on the site and in fact, the last post was made in September.

Helpful Resources and Links Part 2

http://thepegeek.com/ -- This blog is amazing!!! I'm so inspired as a physical education teacher and instructional designer after visiting this site.  The self-proclaimed "PE Geek" is actually Jarrod Robinson a physical education teacher in Victoria, Australia. His blog is geared toward connecting technology innovation to improving instruction in physical education settings.

His objective is to share the various ways he is attempting to engage his students in PE through technology.    For example, he posts about using twitter, vodcasts demonstrating how to use "instant replay", and using sites like surveymonkey.com to help students create their own surveys on physical education related topics.

Within several minutes of visiting this blog I had already generated new ideas to bring to my classes and couldn't wait to try them out, specifically using video to help my students evaluate their own skill development.

My only criticism is...I WANT MORE!!!  The blog posts could be a little more detailed in terms of helping teachers implement these technologies into classes.  This is a blog that I truly look forward to following on a consistent basis and can see myself contributing to this blog "community."

Helpful Resources and Links

www.pecentral.org/ -- This first site is one of if, the not the most, comprehensive resources for physical education teachers you can find on the web.  Not a blog, per se, but rather an all encompaseing resource with a wide variety information on a wide variety of topics.  The site covers just about everything relative to teaching physical education from classroom management suggestions, articles, assessment ideas, lesson plans and links to many supplemental resources like the National Association of Physical Education.  PE Central also includes a monthly newsletter that you can sign up for and also message boards for professionals to collaborate, post questions and hold discussions.

My main criticism of the site is that the information can seem somewhat overwhelming and too often the information, once you finally get to it, is not specific enough help design better instruction.  For example, I think the lesson ideas are most often geared toward lower elementary physical education and I rarely find useful lesson plans for the secondary level.  Having said that, I think the site is great, but I think physical education in the 21st century needs to be more innovative, skill and fitness driven and no so much just playing games.

Hey, Young World!!!

Congratulations to me....I'm now officially a blogger in the world of instructional design. Hopefully I can bring something to the table instead of being more of a leach and taking solid info. from everyone else.

Treat yourself....Jay